- by Trish Whelan
New PSA/Ford diesels
20 February 2003: PSA Peugeot-Citroën and the Ford Motor Company are introducing new 1.6-litre and 2-litre common rail direct injection diesel engines, which have been developed in the second phase of their cooperative venture. They are scheduled to gradually equip both partners' model lines in the second half of 2003.
Development of the engines required an aggregate investment of nearly E1 billion. Production capacity will ultimately exceed 1,600,000 engines a year and will be produced at the majority of diesel powerplants in the core model lines of each partner.
Known as the HDi 1.6l in PSA Peugeot Citroën's cars and the Duratorq TDCi 1.6l in Ford models, the engines will be available in 110 hp (80 kW) and 90 hp (66 kW) versions. They will equip more than 37 different vehicle versions of both partners.
The new 2-litre powerplant represents the latest development in the 2.0-liter HDi family, which has equipped PSA Peugeot Citroën's mid- and upper-range cars since 1998.
The engine's new-generation common rail direct injection system is supplied by Siemens. It manages up to six different injections and delivers an injection pressure of 1,600 bar.
At 136hp (100 kW), it offers 25% more power than its predecessor, while fuel consumption remains stable at a very low level. Focusing strongly on torque the designers have provided a 36% increase to enhance drivability and flexibility.
The engines will be manufactured at PSA Peugeot Citroën's Trémery plant in the Lorraine region of eastern France. EUR159 million was spent to adapt the plant's existing production line to handle the new engines, while improving workstation ergonomics.
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